Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Antibiotics have been used as additives to swine diets for approximately 30 years. Various antibiotics have been shown to improve growth performance and efficiency of feed utilization. In addition, antibiotics have reduced low order infection. Since different organisms are sensitive to different antibiotics, the antibiotic of choice may vary depending on the organisms present. The effect of antibiotics on carcass characteristics has been less conclusive. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the antibiotic, virginiamycin, on performance and carcass characteristics of barrows and gilts fed separately
